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Fundraiser provides vests for Lebanon police dogs

Lebanon Police Department K9 Max, who is trained in narcotic drug detection, is receiving a ballistic vest from a Bay State group.
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LEBANON - The Lebanon Police Department will be issued ballistic vests for K-9 dogs Max and Cody as the result of a national fundraising event designed to outfit police dogs with the vests.

"Certainly it's a financial assistance to us. These vests can be very expensive, but they are very important for our K-9 division," said Lebanon Police Capt. Tim Cohen. "Our K-9s respond to very dangerous missions throughout the year."

The dogs are involved in various police activities, from dangerous manhunts to the execution of search warrants.

"They're officers. They are part of our team. They are our friends," Cohen said. "They are not only an important part of the police department, but certainly they are part of the officers' families. They literally go home with the officer, they live with the officer's family. Help with anything we can do to keep them safer is a good thing."

A nationwide Groupon event for Vested Interest in K-9s Inc., of East Taunton, Mass., raised over $155,000 in eight days last month.

Lebanon Senior Officer Jeremy Perkins' K-9 partner Max, a Belgian Malinois, and Senor Officer Jonathan Tracy's K-9 Partner Cody, a German shepherd, are both set to receive vests, which cost about $950 each.

Vested Interest in K-9s currently has a list of over 20 police dogs needing vests.

For more information about the group or to volunteer or donate, call (508) 824-6978 or go to www.vik9s.org.